Over the last two years, Justin Collette, a musical theatre actor originally from Riverview, has been performing in the title role of the North American tour of Beetlejuice the Musical.

Woman says feds driving her ‘out of business’ so they can turn fisher over to First Nations, others

By John Chilibeck – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner

A New Brunswick entrepreneur whose family pioneered the baby eel industry in Canada is suing Ottawa again after it told her she would likely lose nearly 90 per cent of her business to First Nations and other people who want to get in on the lucrative fishery.

In a filing in the Court of King’s Bench in Fredericton on Dec. 9, Mary Ann Holland accuses the defendants, who include three successive federal fisheries ministers and eight high-ranking officials in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, or DFO, of having “engaged in a carefully calculated plan” over the years to drive her “out of business,” and give it away to First Nations and other fishers.

“Such a plan represents patent gross abuse,” the lawsuit states, which they know will cause great damage to her companies, Brunswick Aquaculture and Alder Seafood.

She complains that Ottawa did little to enforce the fishing rules on the water and was, in effect, in cahoots with First Nations leaders who told their people to exert their Aboriginal right to pluck eels out as they wished.

Holland declined to be interviewed for this article. But she has stewed about Ottawa’s decisions in recent years to allow more First Nations to catch the elvers and its lack of enforcement on waters in southwestern New Brunswick, where she’s a licence holder, a spring fishery that’s been cancelled a few times because of poaching and spasms of violence.

Now, the trouble has boiled over.

Holland’s late husband, Philip Holland, was the first commercial eel licence holder in the Maritimes, setting up the practice and developing overseas markets for the creatures 36 years ago. The Holland family has held a licence continuously since 1988.

Mary Ann Holland has argued in other lawsuits against Ottawa and First Nations that they are destroying her business.

The Wolastoqey Nation dismisses her claims and says they have a traditional right to fish.

In the latest filing, Holland says DFO has invited some of her former employees to become licence holders.

A department spokeswoman said officials were aware of the allegations in Holland’s lawsuit, which were not tested in court.

“As the department is a named party and this matter is now before the courts, it would be inappropriate for DFO to comment,” said Debra Buott-Matheson in an email to Brunswick News.

One of Holland’s colleagues in the baby eel industry in Nova Scotia warned that no one in the fishing industry would be safe from federal confiscation of their licences without any financial compensation.

In a two-page letter sent Dec. 5 to nine enterprises in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with elver, or baby eel, commercial licences, Jennifer Ford, the director of the DFO elver review team in the Maritimes, outlined the latest proposed changes following consultations.

Ford – who is named as a defendant in Holland’s lawsuit – said the federal fisheries minister, Diane Lebouthillier, favoured “broadening the benefits” of the elver fishery to boost First Nations’ participation and give people already working for the commercial elver industry a shot at having their own licenses.

She said redistributing existing quotas was the only way of ensuring the species’ long-term survival.

A table attached to the letter showed that of the nine licence holders, before 2022, eight of them had a quota of 1,200 kilograms each (a ninth had a quota of 360 kg).

The new proposal would see all their quotas – or total allowable catch – significantly reduced by between 60 and nearly 90 per cent. Holland’s company fares the worst, going from 1,200 kg annually down to 123 kg.

The letter appears to be the last straw for Holland, whose lawyer filed the legal paperwork only a few days later.

Stanley King, whose in-laws have owned Atlantic Elver Fishery near Kejimkujik National Park in southwestern Nova Scotia since the early 1990s, said the department was unfair to hard-working entrepreneurs who had developed the business.

“The process has been an exercise in futility,” he said of the letters sent from the minister seeking the industry’s input into the changes. “It was a sham consultation. They didn’t listen to one thing we said.”

He also described it as a “five-year coup de grâce of DFO mismanagement that’s destroyed an entire industry that took 30 some odd years to create.”

King said the industry wasn’t against First Nations’ access to the fishery. However, he said the proper process to follow was the “willing buyer-willing seller” model to ensure there would be no animosity between the fishermen.

Such a model has been used in other fisheries, including crab and lobster, since the Supreme Court ruled 25 years ago that Aboriginal people have a right to pursue a moderate income from fisheries, a case that pitted Donald Marshall Jr., an adult eel fisherman, against the province of Nova Scotia. For the most part, those new agreements have reduced tension on the water.

According to Holland’s lawsuit, Ottawa also proposed buying out her licence in 2021, but it didn’t go anywhere. DFO eventually decided to unilaterally reduce the commercial eel quotas.

It’s not the first time in recent years DFO has made such a move. It reduced the number of traps of crab fishers in Tofino, B.C., by half in 2022, after a court ordered that part of the fishery had to be Indigenous. No compensation was offered.

“I want other fishermen to realize this is now the government’s path forward,” King said. “Other fishermen should be very afraid and should pay very close attention, because they will be next.”

As prices for the translucent baby eels have risen, people have fought over the spring run in dozens of rivers in the Maritimes.

The violence and unauthorized fishing got so bad that the federal fisheries minister suspended the season in the Maritimes this year.

The popularity of the American eels in Asian cuisine and the collapse of stocks in Europe has pushed prices up markedly.

Buyers who ship the eels to Asia, where they’re grown in tanks to adulthood and then made into sushi or other tasty dishes, have paid as much as $5,000 a kilogram for them, although prices have moderated this year to closer to $4,000 per kg. It is the most lucrative seafood by weight in Canada.

Holland’s lawsuit does not specify how much damages she’s seeking.

No statement of defence has been filed.

The post Ottawa has ‘carefully calculated plan’ to wreck eel business: lawsuit first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Police as transport left the road and hit a pedestrian and a building

The West District RCMP reported that a 65-year-old woman died following a single-vehicle crash in New Denmark.

The Saint-Léonard RCMP Detachment said members of the detachment responded at approximately 1:07 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, to the report of the single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 108 and Hansen Crossing Road in New Denmark. 

They said the Drummond Fire Department and Ambulance New Brunswick also responded. 

Police believe the crash occurred when the driver of a transport truck lost control of his vehicle, left the roadway, entered a parking lot, and struck a pedestrian and a nearby building. 

The RCMP said a collision reconstructionist and a member of the coroner’s office attended the accident scene. Police also used a remotely piloted aircraft system to take aerial photos of the scene. 

The investigation is ongoing.

The post Woman pedestrian killed after tractor-trailer leaves road in New Denmark first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Vitalité Health Network is looking to either renovate or replace the Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital, which is nearly 60 years old.

New Brunswick RCMP say one person has died after a truck left the roadway and struck a pedestrian on Friday in New Denmark, N.B.

Around 35 per cent of Horizon Health hospital beds continue to be occupied by alternate level of care (ALC) patients, according to its president and CEO.

Margaret Melanson said the regional health authority continues to take steps to reduce the significant strain on inpatient capacity at its hospitals.

Speaking at Thursday’s quarterly board meeting, Melanson highlighted a pilot project underway at Fredericton’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital.

Horizon staff, social workers and discharge planners are now undertaking long-term care assessments for patients rather than the Department of Social Development.

“This has proven to reduce very much the length of time patients are waiting for this type of long-term care assessment, allowing them to have expedited access to a long-term care bed if it was available,” said Melanson.

Initial results from the pilot show a decrease in waitlist times for long-term care from 53 to 24 days, according to the health authority’s quarterly report.

Melanson told board members that because of the project, there are currently no patients waiting for long-term care assessments at the Chalmers Hospital.

“We’ve also heard anecdotally that the staff who know the patients the best, who have interacted with the patients during their stay in hospital, are really best suited to undertake those long-term care assessments,” she added.

“We recognize that having that long-term care assessment and the determination of the level of long-term care required by a patient is the first step for them to then go toward selection of the home of choice and the entire process around a discharge to a long term care facility.”

The health authority has requested about $1 million from the provincial government to expand this pilot project to other regional centres in the coming months.

However, these assessments are only part of the puzzle as New Brunswick faces a shortage of long-term care beds and a growing number of people needing them.

Melanson said they continue to liaise with Social Development and the government to create initiatives to access additional long-term care capacity in the province.

“With the growing trend of alternate level of care patients, the aging of our population and the seniors requiring these care and services, I would say there would be multiple homes that would be required in as short a time frame as possible to be able to provide the quality of care that seniors really need and deserve,” she said.

The health authority president said they believe there is also a need for more enhanced services for seniors that would allow them to stay in their homes for longer periods of time.

That could include increased hours for home care availability and funding for renovations to accommodate mobility devices, she said.

Horizon is aiming to reduce the number of ALC patients occupying hospital beds to 20 per cent by 2026.

Tantramar is hoping to come up with its own solutions to the community's housing crisis and expects a recent public meeting with people with closeup experience of the issue will help. 

We’ve almost made it through the first month of 2025. With economizing and getting control of grocery budgets in mind, I decided to cook with only what was available in my kitchen.

I carefully inspected my fridge, freezer, and pantry. Even though I thought I was on top of my grocery game, I discovered a few surprises.

Over the past year, I have ignored what I already had in my spice cabinet, which has resulted in unnecessarily buying two extra bags of dry mustard powder. Lesson learned: Don’t shop until you’re sure what you need isn’t already in your kitchen.

So, with the goal of using up what was on hand, I made a game out of how many meals I could make. As it turns out, I had everything I needed to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner for two weeks.

The leftovers from a beef roast became beef broth, beef barley soup, and an Asian beef and broccoli stir fry.

Pineapple, red pepper, ham, and mozzarella were placed on top of the homemade dough for a delicious pizza night without the takeout prices.
A meaty ham bone became a hearty split pea soup which took me back to my childhood memories of when this was a go-to meal my father used to make.

I overestimated how much milk I would need over the holidays and ended up with the better part of four litres nearing its best-before date. Into the slow cooker, it went, along with a bit of plain Greek yogurt, and eight hours later I had a perfectly delicious homemade variety that rivals anything you’ll find at the store. I sweetened it with the maple syrup we make here on the farm and added some frozen berries that grow wild on the property. It’s delicious and so good for your gut health.

I had a look in my freezer and found what was left of a roast chicken. It became amazing stock once I added the onion skins, wilted celery, and carrot peelings I also keep frozen for this purpose.

Some of the broth than was the base for a thick and savory corn chowder with some of the left-over ham I had chopped and frozen along with potatoes and a can of creamed corn.

By the end of week two almost everything in the fridge and freezer had been used in 14 meals with no need to go to the store because everything the recipes called for was readily at hand.

A well stocked pantry you built with on-sale items, along with preserving leftover meats and vegetables, is the key to this way of cooking. Dice, chop, and freeze these ingredients for future meals and you will avoid having to shop for them later when they’re not on sale.

Often I am asked how to build a pantry that contains everything one needs to cook at home on a budget. It can be done for as little as $5 a week. You might think you don’t have an extra $20 a month to add to your grocery budget. Do you buy coffee or take-out lunches? If you opted to pack a lunch and a thermos of coffee, even one day a week, you’d be surprised how much money you will have to build a food pantry.

Start with pantry staples such as rice, oats, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, lentils, dried beans, pasta, and canned goods. Check your sales flyer to look for these items and when you find them on sale buy them to put up on your pantry shelf. You will be surprised how much of these shelf-stable foods you will accumulate over a month or two.

I learned the importance of having an emergency food pantry just after my husband and I were first married. An ice storm shut the province and much of eastern Canada down for well over a week. Since then, this province has had its share of weather-related emergencies. At times like these, it’s helpful to know you can at least feed yourself.

The provincial government advises everyone to have a 72-hour emergency kit on hand, including enough non-perishable foods to feed you and your family for that time. However, as we all have experienced in this province, storms can happen at any time and can result in power outages for a week or more.

Putting emergencies aside, with food prices steadily increasing with another three to five percent hike in food costs expected this year, building a food pantry is like a cushion against future price increases.

With some strategic grocery shopping and careful management of the foods you buy, you will have a well-stocked kitchen and be able to eat well without blowing your food budget.

450 days in jail for Beaconsfield man

Marshall Turner, 24, of Beaconsfield, appeared in provincial court in custody by video for sentencing on Jan. 24 after changing his plea to guilty on several charges laid by RCMP. 

Judge Karen Lee sentenced him to 450 days in jail minus time served, leaving Turner with 37 days left in custody. He was also placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to seek counselling for drug addiction. He was also fined $500 for driving without insurance.

RCMP charged Turner with possession of the stolen vehicle, flight from police, breach of probation and possession of a stolen fuel pump in connection with a police chase across Carleton North on April 23, 2024, that ended in Johnville.

He pleaded guilty to possessing the stolen vehicle and breach of probation, and the crown withdrew the remaining two charges.

He was also charged with possessing a stolen vehicle in Greenfield on April 13, 2024, but the crown withdrew that charge.

Turner also pleaded guilty to possession of stolen vehicle, breach of probation, dangerous driving and driving without insurance on April 18, 2024, in Perth-Andover. 

The court heard Turner was charged following an accident on Route 130 near Bairdsville when he fell asleep at the wheel and collided with a transport truck.

Turner appeared in provincial court in custody by video on June 18, 2024, and waived his bail until later.

Charges with firearm offences

Brandon Chappel, 27, of Plaster Rock, appeared in provincial court in custody on Jan. 21 to answer four charges laid by RCMP. He was released without conditions and returns to court for plea on Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Chappel was charged with pointing a firearm at another person, uttering threats, possession of several guns without a licence, and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace in connection with an incident on June 15, 2024, at Plaster Rock.

Bail hearing rescheduled

Brycen Trae Stewart, 28, of Lakeville, was arrested on warrants and will appear in provincial court in custody by video on Jan. 30 at 9:30 a.m. for a bail hearing.

He was scheduled for the bail hearing on Jan. 22 when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Woodstock Police charged Stewart with dangerous driving, fleeing police, and breaching his curfew on Dec. 16, 2024, in Woodstock. He was also charged with breaching a no-contact order on Jan. 13.

A warrant was issued for Stewart’s arrest after he failed to appear in court to answer charges on Dec. 10, 2024. He also failed to appear in court on Oct. 30, 2024, and an arrest warrant was issued at that time.

He was charged with two counts of breaching his release order (curfew) concerning incidents on Sept. 24 and Oct. 8, 2024, in Woodstock. He appeared in court in custody via teleconference on Oct. 22, 2024, and was released with conditions.

He was also charged with breaking into a dwelling house on May 25, 2024, in Killoween and possessing a stolen vehicle on Aug. 4, 2023, in Lakeville. He is still awaiting plea on those charges as well.

Returning for plea

Stephen Pirie, 60, of Rowena, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m. to set a trial date.

RCMP charged Pirie with impaired driving following an incident on Oct. 20, 2024, at Perth-Andover. He first appeared on Jan. 21 when he entered his not-guilty plea.

Charged with mischief

Dana Allison MacKay, 41, of Woodstock, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m. for plea on a mischief charge.

MacKay was charged by Woodstock Police with committing mischief causing property damage to a window concerning an incident on Dec. 21, 2024, in Woodstock. He made his first court appearance on Jan. 21, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Richmond Settlement woman charged

Maria Laura Sorensen, 72, of Richmond Settlement, will appear in provincial court on Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m. to enter a plea on one charge.

Woodstock Police charged Sorensen with impaired driving in connection with an incident in Woodstock on Sept. 2, 2024. She made her first court appearance on Jan. 21, when the matter was adjourned to the new date.

Arrested and released with conditions

Crystal Lee Phillips, 44, of Richmond Corner, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Jan. 23 to face a new charge laid by Woodstock Police.

Phillips was charged with breaching her curfew in connection with an incident on Jan. 23 in Woodstock. She returns to court for plea on Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m.

She will also appear for trial in provincial court on Dec. 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. after pleading not guilty to 10 charges laid by RCMP.

Her trial was first set for June but was adjourned on Jan. 10 to the new date at the request of her defence counsel. A warrant will be held on file until her next court appearance.

Phillips was charged by RCMP with flight from police and dangerous driving following an incident on Feb. 24, 2024, at Jacksonville.

Woodstock Police also charged her with flight from police and driving while suspended on Feb. 6, 2024, fraudulent impersonation, using a credit card knowing it was obtained by fraudulent means, and defrauding the Walmart in Woodstock between Aug. 10, 2019, and June 23, 2023.

She appeared in provincial court in custody on April 18, 2024, on another charge of breaching her curfew laid by Woodstock Police.

Phillips appeared in provincial court in custody by video on April 2, 2024, on other charges laid by Woodstock Police. She was released with conditions at that time, including a curfew. On March 31, 2024, she was charged with possession of methamphetamine and breaking into a dwelling house in Woodstock.

She also appeared for trial on Jan. 16 regarding other separate charges. Woodstock Police charged Phillips with possession of stolen property (a Sobeys gift card) in connection with an incident on May 30, 2022, in Woodstock. The matter was moved to the alternative measures program. To have the charge withdrawn, Phillips must complete the program’s requirements by April 15.

Trial continues for Centreville man

Stacey Harry Broad, 57, of Centreville, is scheduled to appear in provincial court in custody on Feb. 26 at 9:30 a.m. for the continuation of his trial.

Broad appeared in provincial court in custody by video on May 23, 2024, and was denied bail. He pleaded not guilty to multiple assault charges laid by RCMP. The first part of his trial was held on Dec. 11, 2024, and was scheduled for further testimony on Jan. 22.

Broad was charged with uttering threats, assault, assault by choking, sexual assault and unlawful confinement involving a female victim and breach of probation in connection with an incident in the County of York between April 3 and April 10, 2024.

He was released from custody with conditions but was re-arrested a few days later on a charge of breaching his release order. He later pleaded guilty to mischief, and his sentencing was set for Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m.

Awaiting sentencing on multiple charges

Bradley Tyler Whitney, 42, of Newbridge, will appear in provincial court for sentencing on May 28 at 9:30 a.m. after changing his plea to guilty on multiple charges laid by Woodstock Police and RCMP.

Whitney appeared in provincial court in custody on Dec. 4, 2024, and was released with conditions until his sentencing. The court heard he was entering a rehab facility in Moncton and would remain there under house arrest. On Jan. 22, his sentencing was adjourned to the new date.

Whitney appeared in court on Aug. 26, 2024, and was denied bail. He pleaded guilty to forging a doctor’s prescription for Dilaudid on July 30, 2024, in Woodstock, guilty to causing property damage to a dwelling house on Slipp Street, guilty to uttering threats, and breach of probation on July 14, 2024.

He also pleaded guilty to a separate theft charge under $5,000 for an incident on Dec. 17, 2023, at Madawaska First Nation. The crown withdrew two other charges of fraud and using counterfeit money (a $100 American bill) on Jan. 1, 2024, in Newbridge.

Whitney pleaded not guilty to other charges of assaulting a female victim, uttering threats and breach of probation on Aug. 24, 2024, in Woodstock, and assault with a weapon (a torch) involving a female victim between July 1-28, 2024, in Woodstock. His trial date was set for Jan. 22. He had a limited prior criminal record.

Plea delayed, accused in rehab

Douglas Thomas Defazio, 36, of Woodstock, appeared in provincial court in custody via teleconference on Jan. 24 from a rehab facility in Moncton. He was scheduled to enter a plea on several charges, but the matter was adjourned until Feb. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at the request of his defence counsel.

Defazio was released with conditions following a bail hearing on Aug. 22, 2024, and was ordered to enter rehab. He was arrested by Woodstock Police shortly after a stolen boat crashed on the rocks of the Meduxnekeag River on July 10, 2024, where the vessel was abandoned and the suspect swam to shore.

Defazio faces two counts of breaking and entering a dwelling, mischief causing property damage, and breach of probation in connection with break-ins at two different residences on Grant Street and Houlton Street on July 10, 2024. More charges are pending, including possession of stolen property, theft, and breach of a recognizance. The crown withdrew another separate charge of uttering threats.

Trial adjourned again

Harlie Dominique Scott, 25, of Fredericton, was scheduled to appear for trial in provincial court on Jan. 24 after pleading not guilty to three charges laid by Woodstock Police.  The trial was adjourned until Feb. 10 at 9:30 a.m.

Scott was charged with fleeing from police, dangerous driving, and driving while suspended concerning an incident on Feb. 6, 2021, in Woodstock.

The post Woodstock Provincial Court: Jail time for Beaconsfield man first appeared on River Valley Sun.

A New Brunswick data analyst says property assessments are up again, but not by as much as they jumped in recent years.

A new bookstore and coffee shop set to open in Market Square hopes to create a space for people to write, and to connect writers and readers.

The total cost of the project, which is set to be complete in fall 2026, has now increased to $98 million.

A roaring start to 2025

Happy New Year!

The board is off to a roaring start for 2025. Our January meeting is in the books, and the first order of business was how we can get you to join us on the board. You read that right. We want YOU to join our board. No experience is necessary.

Are you a business owner? An employee? Maybe you are retired but still passionate about supporting the business community of Greater Woodstock. Fill out an application on our website or email us for more information. Tangible perks are small (we don’t even have snacks at meetings!), but brainstorming, networking and collaboration are all part of the package. What do you say? Why not come and join us?

Chamber Highlights

The board is taking a little time to pat themselves on the back after a successful and busy holiday season. Did you enjoy any of the festivities? We finished 2024 strong with the Festival of Lights and the drone show. We hope you got to see it. It was spectacular! (If not, you can search Drone Show on the River Valley Sun website and watch the video uploaded there!) Even with the ups and downs of unpredictable weather, the show went on, and judging by the ‘ooooo’s and ahhhhh’s’ of the crowd, they loved it. The positive feedback is enough to make us start planning for next year. 

Santa came to town with the Santa Claus Parade and the chamber couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with the support from all of you, the spectators. We had people of all ages come out and line the new route. Thanks to all the businesses who opened up their parking lots. Planet Youth was the most amazing partner, hosting the after-party at the Woodstock Farm Market. Hundreds of children and adults enjoyed games while hot chocolate and BBQ hot dogs were served. How lucky are we to live in such a great area?!

Huge shout out to our sponsors who donated prize money for the best floats. Our sincerest thank you for your contribution and support: Legacy Ford, Valley Honda, and Connell Chrysler.

Meet a Chamber Member

This month, we’d like to introduce you to our treasurer, Kelly Cummings-Brown. Kelly is the longest-standing member of the GWCC board. Guess how long she’s been on the board? No, really, take a guess. As the owner of Vanity Flair & Eska’s China on Lower Main Street, she has been on the board for 35 years! Wow!

She’s the one keeping our spending in line and sending out member invoices soon, so keep your eyes on your inbox. Kelly admires how Woodstock comes to life during the Christmas season and loves helping organize the Festival of Lights.

Until next time, remember to shop local!

The post COLUMN: GWCC News and Views – Starting strong! first appeared on River Valley Sun.

A soldier who assaulted a registered nurse at Base Gagetown's medical centre last year has been remanded in custody until sentencing next week.

A new arena complex in Caraquet will cost $3 million more than expected to correct design flaws attributed to the work of a suspended Moncton engineer, the community's mayor announced Wednesday.

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A prosecutor moved Friday to withdraw an indictable charge of reckless discharge of a firearm against an Upper Gagetown man, but no reason was given for the turn in the case.

The RCMP laid a charge against Bruce Allen, 36, of Highway 102 in Upper Gagetown, last year, alleging he intentionally discharged a firearm while being reckless as to the life or safety of another person on Aug. 8.

Earlier this month, defence lawyer Patrick Hurley sought an adjournment, telling the court he was hopeful there could be a resolution in the case after some discussions with the Crown.

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An audit in Fredericton suggests more than 60 per cent of the material being put in garbage bags for curbside collection could be diverted from the landfill through things like recycling, donating or composting

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A Minto man will be under house arrest for the next month after admitting Friday to violating a court order requiring him to register annually as a sex offender.

Jude Dennis O'Reilly, 50, of Centennial Drive, previously pleaded not guilty to a Jan. 31, 2023, count of failing to comply with an order issued under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA).

He was back in Fredericton provincial court Friday, scheduled to go to trial, but his lawyer - Joel Hansen, who appeared by phone - told the court his client wanted to change his plea to guilty.

O’Reilly confirmed his guilty plea on the record.

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A shortage of nursing home beds in New Brunswick is endangering the lives of hospital patients, warns the chair of Horizon Health Network's patient safety and quality improvement committee.

Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, Ont., says leaders in Canada’s border communities are coming together to put forward a unified message as the threat of U.S. tariffs looms. Part of that, he says, is working to ‘link arms’ with mayors on the other side of the border to ‘activate them to be allies for us.’

Some Saint Johners with disabilities are frustrated by snow and ice-packed sidewalk conditions that make it difficult to get to appointments and sometimes dangerous.

Maud turned six this winter, and I’ll turn 46 in the spring. By the old rule of seven dog years to one human year, that makes us peers for a fleeting moment. It’s strange to think that, come my birthday, Maud and I will share the same age—two beings on entirely different timelines, meeting briefly at the same mile marker. In the poetry of this moment lies the quiet realization that I will outlive her and that our roles will someday shift in ways I’m not yet ready to imagine.

The day my husband Patrick and I brought her home, I had no idea what Maud would teach us. She’s my first dog, and I thought I understood what I was signing up for: the walks, the feedings, the routine. I didn’t grasp that I was inviting a whole new understanding of life and love into my world.

When Maud was a puppy, I taught her the basics: sit, stay, and don’t chew your Dad’s socks. But she taught me the deeper lessons: patience, joy, and how to savour life’s quiet, unassuming moments. There’s a magic in seeing the world through a dog’s eyes. To Maud, a tumbling leaf on a fall afternoon is a reason to run and play with reckless abandon; a patch of sunlight on the floor is an invitation to lie down and rest in the warm blanket of the beams. She reminds me, again and again, that love doesn’t need language—it’s in the excited wag of a tail, the gentle press of her head against my knee, and in the full trust she gives me every time she follows me not knowing where we are going or what’s in store. 

I didn’t meet my husband early enough to have children with him—we met when I was 38 and he was 46—so Maud has become our whole family. And somehow, she rose to the occasion. It’s as if she knew. She’s filled the spaces we didn’t realize were empty, weaving herself into the fabric of our lives. What started as a simple decision to bring a dog home became one of the most profound partnerships I’ll ever have.

Maud loves long walks, stealing socks and giving hugs.

But dogs live life on fast-forward. Each passing year is a reminder of the strange deal we make when we bring them into our lives. We nurture them through their youth, only to watch them age faster than seems fair. I know that one day, far sooner than I’d like, we will find ourselves playing a new role: caretaker.

Maud isn’t there yet, and hopefully won’t be for years to come. She’s still vibrant and playful, though a little calmer than her younger self. In her middle age—much like my own—her boundless energy has softened into something gentler. We are both content to crawl back into bed on a lazy Sunday morning, relishing in the simple bliss of doing nothing together.

This is one of the great paradoxes of dogs: they are a mirror for our lives, compressed into a smaller, sharper arc. They teach us what it means to grow up, to grow old, and to let go. And yet, in the face of it all, they show us how to live fully in the present, to love without condition, and to embrace every moment of the journey.

If there’s a heaven—and I like to think there is—I know that when Maud leaves me one day, she will be there waiting for me. Her tail will wag when she sees me, and she’ll jump up to kiss me because I’ve never told her not to. I love it too much. She’ll lead me forward, as she always has, her trust unwavering, her love infinite.

For now, though, we are here together, six and almost 46, two lives, middle-aged and intertwined. Every day, Maud reminds me that life is fleeting, but love endures. And in the everyday miracle of her companionship, Maud has given me everything.

This ongoing column by CHCO-TV news director Vicki Hogarth explores life with her beloved dog, Maud, from her playful puppy days to her current role as a four-legged TV personality. Through humourous and heartfelt anecdotes, Vicki shares the joys, lessons, and special moments that come with having Maud as both a companion and a constant source of inspiration.

New Brunswick’s 33rd lieutenant-governor has officially been sworn in.

An installation ceremony for Louise Imbeault was held Wednesday afternoon.

The journalist and women’s rights advocate was appointed by the prime minister in November.

“As a proud New Brunswicker and Acadian, it is an incredible honour for me to be assuming this position,” Imbeault said in a news release.

“In this new role, I will strive to bring different cultural communities together, promote social justice and honour our treaty obligations, while working towards the elimination of systemic inequalities.

“Over the next few years, I look forward to meeting New Brunswickers from across the province to celebrate their remarkable achievements.”

Imbeault takes over from Brenda Murphy, who had been in the role for the past five years.

Murphy, who was New Brunswick’s first openly LGBTQ+ lieutenant-governor, recently spoke to MLAs as her time in the role came to an end.

She told legislators that it has been an incredible honour to represent the Royal Family for the past five years.

“My term as lieutenant-governor is every voice counts. As elected representatives, you will make sure that every person you represent in this Legislative Assembly can be heard. Every voice matters within these walls and in communities across the province,” she said.

“As the next chapter begins for me, I will watch from outside this chamber with great interest as you continue to represent the people of New Brunswick so aptly.”

RELATED: Brenda Murphy prepares to leave role as lieutenant-governor

Imbeault has promoted Acadian culture across the world throughout her career and has been an active member of her community.

That work has earned her numerous recognitions, including the Order of Moncton, the Order of New Brunswick and the Order of Canada.

Most recently, she was named the chancellor of l’Université de Moncton for a five-year term in June 2018.

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A shortfall in doctor availability means the Queens North Community Health Centre in Minto won’t be seeing patients this weekend, the Horizon Health Network said Friday.

The anglophone health authority issued a news release Friday morning announcing the weekend closure in the community about 50 kilometres east of Fredericton.

“Horizon wishes to advise the public that due to a shortage of physician coverage, walk-in services at Horizon’s Queens North Community Health Centre in Minto will be unavailable on Saturday, Jan. 25,” it said.

“Services will resume on Monday, Jan. 27.”

However, the health authority noted appointments for other services such as nursing and ambulatory care won’t be affected, so patients should attend as scheduled.

Horizon advised that people with non-urgent medical issues can find information on other options for health care online at SoWhyWait.ca.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached at [email protected].

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After conquering the commercial sales universe with Fleetwood Mac and the bazillion-selling album “Rumours”, Buckingham found that he wanted to extend his creativity and find a measure of artistic success. The oft-criticized follow-up record, the risk-taking “Tusk” and then the playful, gleeful solo debut “Law & Order” offered a glimpse into the artist in which Buckingham uncompromisingly laid out a vision of taking chances while living inside the record company restraints. There were just enough commercial tracks on both to forgive the forays into the fringes. 

For his second solo effort Buckingham dove headfirst into the pool he had built and, for better or worse, he would live with the outcome. His pockets would be forever lined and that led to some leeway for following his muse. All tracks were written, performed, and produced by the artist with minimal assistance from colleagues. The album begins with a strident alarm clock panned across the speakers as his multi-tracked voice chants “I Want You”. 80s synths and drum machines attack in a colossal sound. A highly processed guitar rings at the high end of human hearing and the alarm clock morphs into a tick-tock beat that reinforces the chanting. The processed and out-of-sync vocals add to the jittery beat, “I’m a bundle of joy, a pocket full of tears” reflect lines at cross purposes. It’s a smile-inducing, wince-inducing opening that sets the stage on an ambitious new step for the rock dinosaur guitarist. “Go Insane” calms the waters a bit with a more melodic hook, “I lost my power in this world because I did not use it”. Followed by a dig at the past- “I lost my power in this world and the rumours are flying” and the song takes off with hooks, a big chorus, and a reminder of the commercial power of this writer. “Slow Dancing” rolls along on a bass melody with guitar and synth bell flourishes, the “female” backing vocals appear to be Buckingham’s voice processed and treated. The tempo is relentless but not frenetic, again allowing for the ability to create a memorable chorus. The song fades prettily and is joined by a quiet acoustic guitar coda. “I Must Go” sounds like a track from “Tusk”, “Hey Little Girl Leave That Little Drug Alone”. Steam engine percussion and a more traditional rock guitar frame are a perfect blend of commercial hook and edgy experimenting. The lyric “And this is why I must go” echoes the famed three-part Mac harmony and would have sat quite nicely with that “Tusk” output. Four pop rock upbeat numbers to kick off the album means it’s time to sit down and take a little breather. 

“Play in the Rain” is a sound collage of water, wind, and 80’s percussion which almost comes to a standstill at times. It’s like a bad dream until the layers of ringing guitar make a downpour fade outside one of the albums. You flip the vinyl over and get “Play in the Rain” (continued) which picks up with guitars right where we left off on the first side. This second part of the song adds more layers of voices to make it more uplifting and makes “Can We Play in the Rain” less depressing and more joyful. The track finishes with vocals coming from several directions and the guitar finally wresting the song from all the synths. “Loving Cup” hearkens back to the first two Lindsey/Stevie Mac albums and would have fit on the self-titled debut right next to “Monday Morning”. The guitar is raw and simple with the riff powering a rock behemoth. The chorus has a touch of 80’s adornment but overall, it’s a stripped-down guitar triumph. The next track “Bang the Drum” with its childlike sing-song vocals is a serious shift from the preceding track. Its willful simplicity and lurching melody have little flow but it rather bends around the ears and turns unexpectedly into a descending guitar/synth pattern that lends an air of melancholy to the mid-tempo journey. Layers of handclaps end the tune. “D.W. Suite” is the equivalent of an overture quoting lines from previous songs and a mission statement, “I want to go- go forever”. It is structured like a symphony with movements and linking passages that play out the journey of the solo artist. It is meant to be the grand-reaching statement but meanders through its sections with little holding it together. The “Pray for Guidance From Above” chapter seems to come out of nowhere. It perks up a bit at the end with Celtic flourishes on the synths but it is the weak point of the record and it is a shame it concludes the album.

Very few artists were able to escape the 80’s unharmed. This record does have the cliché production and sounds but the mesmerizing artistry and the risk-taking more than make up for the production shortcomings. Looking back from today’s vantage it overcomes its weaknesses and naivete with exceptional vision and focus. Well-worth a revisit.

Charlotte County resident Stephen MacKnight works for Anglophone South & Working NB after a decade spent as a music teacher in the school system and twenty-five years in the music retail industry cycling through Sam the Record Man, Records on Wheels and CDPlus. There have been nominations from ECMA’s & Music NB as a band-member and songwriter. Passionate and opinionated about music Stephen loves when anyone wants to have a debate. 

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A Fredericton man avoided jail time Thursday for firearms and stolen-car offences when the court heard that he’s managed to turn his life around and get off of narcotics.

Benjamin Robert Hayden, 32, of Canada Street, previously pleaded guilty to July 4, 2023, counts of possession of a shotgun with an altered serial number and possession of the weapon without a licence.

He’d also admitted to a Nov. 16, 2023, charge of possessing a stolen 2016 Nissan Rogue, and he was back in Fredericton provincial court Thursday for sentencing.

Crown prosecutor Kyle Horsman said the July 2023 offences came to light after police responded to a call about a female overdosing at a Canada Street apartment, where was among the residents.

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In the world of oil pipelines, there’s political rhetoric and then there’s the reality of dollars and cents.

The University of New Brunswick and University of Waterloo have signed a memorandum of understanding, setting the foundation to open a satellite optometry school in Saint John.

Community Outreach Pilot Project workers gathering data and making connections to address homelessness in Western New Brunswick

A focused Community Outreach Pilot Project is looking to address the impact of homelessness in Western New Brunswick between Nackawic-Millville and Plaster Rock. 

Project staff members Kayla Kinney and Alissa Stairs addressed the Woodstock council on Jan. 14. They outlined the project’s outreach efforts. They explained the importance of community support in addressing the serious and growing problem throughout the Western Valley region. 

“We are actively collecting data to assess the level of needs in our region and gaps in service,” explained the flyer Stairs and Kinney shared at the council meeting. “We may also be able to identify current services available in our communities and provide assistance to connect to them.” 

The young women, who are partially funded by New Brunswick’s Department of Social Development, are already on the job and will continue their efforts until September when they will issue a report to the department. 

The project also draws support from the Town of Woodstock, the Western Valley Regional Service Commission (RSC 12), and the Western Valley Regional Resiliency Committee. 

Kinney explained that the 12-month program hopes to gather the information needed to provide solutions to address the homeless problem. 

“Our main focus is data collection,” explained Stairs. “We will be active in Western New Brunswick between Nackawic and Plaster Rock until September.” 

Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones welcomed Stairs and Kinney, noting the vital importance of their efforts. 

“It’s extraordinarily important for the girls to connect with as many people as possible,” she said. 

Jones explained that young women are already on the job, although they’re only beginning to share their efforts and goals with the public. 

She said Stairs and Kinney have undergone substantial training, began speaking with stakeholders, and started the search for people experiencing or facing homelessness in Upper River Valley communities. 

Kinney explained people experiencing homelessness are not always as visible in rural areas as in more urban settings, but the problem exists and must be addressed. 

From Oct. 2024 to Sept. 2025, the Town of Woodstock employed two outreach team members to work through Western New Brunswick to determine the scope of the homelessness situation. 

Jones explained a vital component of the project’s success requires connecting with the public and talking to those facing the problem and those who actively want to support finding solutions. 

Jones asked the public to contact Stairs and Kinney with information about themselves or someone they know who is homeless or living in inadequate housing. 

“We will find the homeless easier than the precariously housed,” Jones said. 

The public can easily reach Kinney at Stairs by email at [email protected] or by phone at 506-323-9418 or 506-323-8537. 

Kinney said she and Stairs are eager to gather as much information as possible and encourage community residents and businesses to get involved, including supporting the team’s fundraising efforts. 

Stairs explained that the team will host the Warm Western N.B. Fundraiser for the Western River Valley Homelessness Fund on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in Woodstock, from 6 to 8 p.m. It will consist of a community walk that will begin and end at the Elks Club on Connell Street. 

Kinney said anyone wishing to participate can pick up a fundraising package at any of the region’s public libraries. She added that people can also donate online using a QR Code. 

Jones, Kinney and Stairs also noted supporters can donate to the project through canadahelps.org.

While welcoming the project team to the Jan. 14 council meeting, Jones repeatedly stressed the importance of reaching out to them with information. 

She explained you can’t always find the homeless on the street. Many are couch-surfing or facing eviction because of their inability to pay their rent. 

Jones said it’s crucial Kinney and Stairs hear those stories as well. 

We’re asking the public to share information about themselves or someone they know who is homeless or living in inadequate housing. 

The outreach team explained the project’s goals are to tabulate data and produce reports so the Department of Social Development can “make informed, data-driven decisions on services and support systems that are needed in the region.” 

They explained that those decisions should better support those experiencing homelessness by providing appropriate resources and diverting community members from homelessness. 

The post Making connections, eliminating barriers first appeared on River Valley Sun.

Taking a bumble so you can get back to a beautiful spot you remember

By Linda McHatten

After some discussion, Brian and Cliff decided to turn onto a side road, hopefully taking us to Fraggle Rock. When we set out, it looked like the road was recently graded. We continued anyway but soon met a grader, so we stopped to ask the operator if we were headed in the right direction. He told us he thought we were, but he did not know how much further as he had never been there.

We were all getting hungry, so we pulled off to a small clearing. We filled the air with the smell of sausages smothered in onions. As usual, lunch was good, and I ate too much.

Soon, it was time to bumble on. We eventually came to the trail that narrowed and had overgrown trees. Brian began to recognize some of the trial markings, and then… there it was. Fraggle Rock!

The area looked like tenters or hikers had used it, and what a great spot for it. Gary hiked in behind the rock and found a way to climb to the top – there’s always one daring person in the crowd!

With this marked off our bucket list, we headed back home. Don’t worry. Our trip was not without hitting some mud and water holes along the way.

Trekking past the base of Ayres Lake, we bumbled to the lookout, which is always a beautiful site to see. Eight hours and 118 km later, we arrived back in Pembroke. It was a beautiful day with temperatures around 25 degrees.

Not long after this bumble, I saw pictures someone else had taken of the trail into Fraggle Rock being graded, which I thought might indicate preparations for clearcutting. I hope not. It would mean no more tenting in the area.

As I count down the days to spring, I am looking forward to meeting you back on the trails. Until next time, happy trails, and stay safe!

The post COLUMN: Beautiful Bumbles – Fraggle Rock first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A Tobique First Nation man went missing Thursday afternoon, reports the RCMP, and police are hoping members of the public can aid the effort to locate him.

The Tobique First Nation detachment of the RCMP issued a news release Thursday night, advising that Casey Bernard, 26, a member of the indigenous community, was considered a missing person.

“Casey Bernard was last seen on Jan. 23, 2025, at approximately 5 p.m. on Reservoir Road in Tobique First Nation, N.B. He was reported missing to the police the same day,” the release said.

“Police have followed up on several leads to try to locate him, but have so far been unsuccessful. Police and his family are concerned for his well-being.”

Bernard is described as being about 5’5” (168 centimetres) tall, weighing about 130 pounds (59 kilograms), with brown eyes and hair.

He was last seen wearing a brown coat and a winter beanie style hat, the RCMP said.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call the Tobique detachment at 506-273-5003.

Those wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the secure P3 Mobile App or visiting Secure Web Tips online at www.crimenb.ca.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached at [email protected].

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In Saint John, a first-degree murder trial has finished hearing evidence. The defence opened and closed its case on Thursday with one witness — the accused.

The New Brunswick Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of a former construction supervisor who was convicted of criminal negligence in the death of a teenager at a Fredericton jobsite.   

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A Fredericton man whom police arrested this month after an alleged theft and assault on a store employee has been remanded until the many charges against him are resolved in court.

Kirk Stan Peterson, 36, of Brunswick Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Thursday for a bail hearing.

The Fredericton Police Force issued a news release Wednesday about his arrest earlier in the week. It said Peterson was identified as a suspect in an alleged instance of shoplifting at a downtown business Jan. 11 during which a store employee was assaulted and injured.

Court records shed some additional light on those allegations.

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N.B. Liquor CEO Lori Stickles says the company's security systems worked as intended during an attempted cyber attack this month. 

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An Upper Hainesville man has lost his bid to overturn his conviction for causing the death of a teenage worker under his supervision at a Fredericton jobsite in 2018.

Jason Andrew King, 46, of Central Hainesville Road, was convicted in 2023 of criminal negligence causing death after a judge-alone trial in the Court of King’s Bench.

King was a foreman with Springhill Construction Ltd., which was handling a construction job at the City of Fredericton’s Barker Street Wastewater Treatment Plant on Aug. 16, 2018.

Michael Anthony Henderson, 18, of Fredericton, died in an accident at the site that day, when the eight-foot-deep hole in which he was clearing debris suddenly filled with water when a pneumatic plug gave way.

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The New Brunswick government is launching an independent third-party audit into the increases in recent NB Power bills. 

Premier Susan Holt, speaking with reporters on Tuesday, said hundreds, if not thousands, of people contacted MLAs about the bill increase. 

“In a week, or 10 days or so, our team has received many, many messages, emails, Facebook messages, phone calls from New Brunswickers regarding the spikes they’ve seen in their electricity bills,” said Holt, during a media availability. “On Jan. 20, our caucus met with officials from NB Power to better understand what might be happening. And that conversation left us with more questions.” 

People on social media platforms including TikTok and Facebook have been posting about the NB Power bills skyrocketing by hundreds of dollars, with some suggesting they’d be away on vacation during the time to kilowatt hours had increased. 

“It is important for New Brunswickers to get some answers to their concerns, but it’s also important that NB Power have that information (so) they have your concerns so that they can add it to their data collection,” said Energy Minister René Legacy. 

The findings from the third-party audit, Legacy said, have been asked to be ready for public accounts in February, which is scheduled for two weeks from Feb. 4 until Feb. 7 and again from Feb. 18 until Feb. 21. 

“We want to get to the bottom of this,” Holt said. “We determined that an independent third-party audit would be the best way to understand what has happened and to learn about it.” 

NB Power has also recently received approval for a 9.8 per cent rate high on all customers, with a variance account, bringing the total increase to about 12.7 per cent on utility rates. 

The company also charges a $24 monthly service fee. In January, the Holt government introduced a 10 per cent rebate on those bills, removing the provincial sales tax. 

“I think I’ve heard some people call it the perfect storm of pain for New Brunswickers,” Holt said in regards to the various increases in rate hikes customers have seen in the last year. “They’ve gone up in ways that are different from the trend, and we really need to get to the bottom of that.” 

Holt said while the audit will take weeks, many customers have expressed they may be unable to pay the bills given out by NB Power. 

“They have a variety of payment mechanisms, whether it’s to deliver those payments over time as we try to get to the bottom of what’s happened with this particular billing cycle,” she said. 

Holt also said a cyber security threat wasn’t top of the list for things they were investigating, but didn’t totally rule it out. 

“We’re going through an independent audit because we don’t want to preemptively rule anything out or rule anything in,” she said. 

Legacy said NB Power is in full agreement with the need for a third-party audit.  

“I think having a third party going in and either finding potentially if there’s something, if there’s an issue that they’ll clarify. If they’re not, then we can be confident that the system is sound,” he said.

The post ADVERTISEMENT: Meeting of Tobique-Mactaquac Federal Liberal Association first appeared on River Valley Sun.

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A judge accepted a defence request for time already served for a Bilijk (Kingsclear) First Nation man who committed numerous driving offences and crimes involving stolen cars.

Seth Peterson Solomon, 24, of Porcupine Court, was back before Fredericton provincial court Judge Mélanie Poirier LeBlanc on Wednesday to hear her decision on his sentencing.

Court heard previously that Solomon committed a series of crimes between the summers of 2022 and 2024.

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A Keswick Ridge man is set to return to court next month to elect mode of trial and enter pleas on allegations dating back decades involving sexual abuse of two different minors.

Gary Stephens, 70, of Route 105, appeared in Fredericton provincial court for the first time Wednesday to answer to four charges, all alleging sexual offences against underage complainants.

Crown prosecutor Jennifer Bueno requested publication bans on information that would tend to identify those complainants, Judge Mélanie Poirier LeBlanc imposed those orders.

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A New Brunswick watchdog is hoping the new Liberal government will take action on language rights in the province.

Official Languages Commissioner Shirley MacLean made the comments Tuesday while discussing her office’s annual report.

Several recommendations were made by Judge Yvette Finn and John McLaughlin during a review of the Official Languages Act (OLA) in 2021.

However, MacLean said the only step taken by the previous Higgs government was creating an official languages secretariat.

“Unfortunately, in my view, apart from the creation of the Secretariat of Official Languages, the most recent review of the OLA was a step back for official language rights in the province, especially for our francophone linguistic minority,” she said.

“I call upon Premier Holt to take action and correct this missed opportunity by adopting further recommendations that were contained in the Finn-McLaughlin report.

“This is something that can be achieved relatively simply. There is no need to begin a new review process at this time, as that work has already been completed by Commissioners Finn and McLaughlin.”

The Liberals committed to implementing recommendations from the Finn-McLaughlin report as part of their platform released during the recent provincial election.

In December, the Holt government announced that it had created a new standing committee on official languages in the legislature.

“This new committee, as recommended by the review of the Official Languages Act, will provide an opportunity to have critical discussions on how we can improve access to and learning of both languages across the province,” Government House Leader Marco LeBlanc said in a news release.

The committee’s mandate will be based on best practices and recommendations from the Finn-McLaughlin report and in consultation with key stakeholders, he said.

MacLean said the new committee, combined with the reference to the report in the Holt government’s throne speech, has her feeling “more optimistic now than I was a couple of years ago.”

“But I certainly hope it’s not going to stop there, that we just didn’t see a flurry of a reaction once the new government was elected, and it’s certainly going to be my job to continue to lobby the government to take some steps,” she said.

“It’s my role as well to try and maybe convince them that some of those recommendations will not be that difficult to implement, and certainly that’s something that I can certainly take on and is my role.”

The commissioner said one of the key recommendations she would like to see brought forward is ensuring language of work is covered by the Official Languages Act.

Provincial civil servants should have the right to work and have their work evaluated in the official language of their choice, she said, just like they do at the federal level.

“In that way, that would assist as well opening up opportunities and encourage the government to open opportunities for education for civil servants to be able to learn a second language,” said MacLean.

Hundreds without a family doctor seek solution at NB Health Link event in St. Stephen + Peter Corbyn to host “Let’s Solve the Housing Crisis” in St. Andrews + Charlotte County Archives launches Historic Home Movies + St. Stephen considers new bylaw for themed crosswalks

Original Broadcast Date: January 23, 2025

CHCO-TV NewsBreak26 is an original CHCO Television production produced at the CHCO TV studio in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.

As mentioned in our previous Column, Course No.1 at No.34 Operational Training Unit (O.T.U.), a solid little British enclave staffed almost entirely by Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel, right down to the batmen, commenced on June 8, 1942 with 62 trainees (17 RAF Pilots, 15 RCAF Observers & 30 RCAF Wireless Operators/Air Gunners). 

The purpose of No.34 O.T.U. was to bring the four members of the aircrew (Pilot, Observer (later known as Navigator), Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and Air Gunner) together and prepare aircrews for operations on the Lockheed Vega-Ventura, a twin-engine medium bomber.  The courses were around twelve weeks in length, depending on weather, serviceability of aircraft, availability of qualified instructors (both ground and air), etc.

Pilots & Wireless Operator/Air Gunners (WO/AGs) would commence first – a Pilot’s first solo at “the Ridge” always included a hapless WO/AG (an airmen trained to use the radio equipment on board an aircraft and maintain communication with the world outside) as well.  Around two weeks later the Navigator would join followed four weeks later by the Air Gunner.

A Course No.20 (Pilot) remarked regarding training: “I was checked out in the Ventura with its two 2,000 hp engines and a takeoff gross weight of 32,000 pounds after six short instructional flights totalling four hours and 45 minutes, which contrasted sharply with the brand of training we had just completed flying the Anson II for four months at the SFTS. It is a miracle there were not more Venturas lying about the airfield at the end of each day.”

In the training syllabus for No.34 O.T.U. you will find the word “wastage” referring to the waste of resources, or more pointedly dealing with the accepted and inevitable losses from those killed or injured during training.  For Course No.1 this occurred a little more then 6 weeks (July 23rd) into training when Ventura AE950 failed to return from evening local flight for airscrew feathering, single engine flying and use of flaps. The crew consisted of Sgt. Pilot Harvey John AUSTIN (GB1334195) (RAFVR) and WAG Sgt. Joseph Stanley YURKOWSKI (R/107012) (RCAF).

Four days after Ventura AE950 disappeared into the abyss, Sgt. R.W. TIMBERLAKE (GB1330923) (RAFVR) (” …failed the Course through failure to go solo on Ventura A/C.”) and Sgt. L.R. DOOLEY (R/122173) (…permanently grounded and posted away owing to incurable air sickness.”) were both posted to the Reselection Center, Trenton, ON.  Whereas Sgt. R.A. CAMERON (R/125099) was “…put back to No.4 Course owing to illness.” and Sgt. L.G.J. GOUGH (R/110156) was “…taken off training during the month and is awaiting trial by Court Martial on a charge of 23 days absence without leave.”

On August 29th the course moved to No.34 O.T.U. Detachment, Yarmouth, NS by road and air for their armament training portion of the course.  The first mishap at Yarmouth occurred September 2nd when the “Tail Oleo of Ventura AE954 was holed by machine gun fire whilst re-arming.”  Luckily no one was injured!

Examinations occurred on September 7th & 8th before returning to Pennfield Ridge on the 9th. Graduation followed on the 11th with 11 complete crews each consisting of 1 Pilot, 1 Observer and 2 WOP/AGs and 1 crew consisting of 1 Pilot, 1 Observer and 1 WOP/AG.  3 Pilots, 3 Observers and 3 WOP/AGs were screened and retained at the Unit to fill staff vacancies. 

The graduates (totalling 47 airmen) were given two weeks Embarkation Leave after which time they were to report to No.1 “Y” Depot, Halifax, NS to await transportation overseas – 17 of the said airmen failed to return home at war’s end.  Of the 9 retained to fill staff vacancies, 1 was killed in a crash of a Ventura 4 miles northeast of Caledonia, N.S. in November 1942 & one was later posted overseas in October 1943 only to have the angel of death call him home in February 1944.

An interesting note, one of the retained airmen was Sgt. J.E. BIGELOW (R/114528), a graduate of the Presbyterian College in 1940 before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force, held church services at the Pennfield Presbyterian Kirk and officiated at least two marriages while here.

Christian Larsen currently serves as President of Pennfield Parish Military Historical Society.  He has been actively involved in researching the genealogical & military history of Pennfield Parish for nearly four decades.  From 2009 until 2017 he hosted the annual Pennfield Ridge War Memorial Services.  Recognized at the provincial & federal levels for his work with Veterans having been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012); Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2023); Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation (2024) & King Charles III’s Coronation Medal (2025).  He can be reached at: [email protected]

A new proposal to spend $300,000 to remediate an area off Campobello Island to move forward with the Market Square and Market Wharf project in Saint Andrews has the council divided. 

The project was delayed until October 2025 amid concerns over a lack of mitigation around the area, something the municipal council has suggested was the fault of engineers hired by the town. 

“In order to do our wharf project the way that we presented when we did all the consultation, and what council selected, what the community selected … at the last hour, unfortunately, our wharf project was not approved by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans,” said Mayor Brad Henderson. “If we wanted to do that project, it would take away from fish habitat.” 

The wharf project is expected to cost the town a bit more than $2-million.

The wharf refurbishment project is facing challenges as council decides what to do about mitigation efforts. (Town of St. Andrews)

Henderson explained the town needs to acquire credits to do the project that is already designed. 

It will need to pay for a mitigation project somewhere else to move ahead with wharf refurbishment. The original cost to mitigate the area by the wharf would cost the town an additional $1 million. 

The project, which would involve dredging an area off Campobello Island, would provide the town enough “credit” to move forward on the wharf without any local mitigation. 

“If we cancel the project altogether, we lose all of our government funding, it’s still going to cost the town a significant amount of money,” he said during the meeting. “There is no good option for this council to select.” 

The wharf was originally built in the 1950s, but burned down in 1994, and was rebuilt by the town, who took ownership of it. 

Henderson described the situation as environmental “blackmail,” a term also used by another councillor. 

Coun. Steve Neil, who is a biologist, said during the meeting he would vote against the Ducks Unlimited project. 

“The idea of mitigating or remediating marine habitat somewhere else in order to continue this project, it’s not an approach I really agree with, from my almost 30 years of being a biologist,” he said during the meeting. 

“If the project was in our own community, I’d probably swallow it a little better.” 

Neil said if the project was what he believed to be viable, he would also be able to support the option. 

“But in my opinion, this project is doomed to fail right from the start,” he said. 

The wharf is under a weight restriction currently. (Patrick Watt/CHCO-TV)

He described the idea – of doing a project somewhere else to help marine life to take it from someplace else – as unethical. 

“We have no good option,” he said. “No good option is not how I want to proceed with $2 million worth of taxpayers’ money.” 

Coun. Darrell Weare also spoke about the concerns he had when speaking with the engineers. 

“In April of last year, myself, Coun. Neil, Coun. Blanchard all spoke to the engineers … told them that this needed an EIA (environmental impact assessment) … and we were basically ignored and everything went ahead,” Weare said during the meeting. 

He said that was frustrating. 

Henderson said the council didn’t push back more on the engineers because it trusted their expertise. 

“It’s delayed our project by a year,” he said. “CBCL is our engineers … the reality of the situation is you trust your professional opinion to give you the right opinion.” 

“If you’re professional services that you’ve paid are telling you you’re good to go, especially one that has a long history in this community, you assume that they’ve done their homework and what we’ve actually found out is that they didn’t do their homework and that’s why we’re in the situation we’re in.” 

He said this drew concern from both staff and council, which is why a policy to help some customers was created. 

The Courier reached out to CBCL for comment on the allegations but did not receive a response by deadline. 

The question, Henderson explained, is whether the town wants a wharf or not. 

During the meeting, Coun. Jamie Hirtle said he has concerns too, but there is one that is clear – the desire from the community to keep the wharf. 

“I feel like we’ve been falling forward through this project and hoping we’re going to land on our feet, so I have some significant concerns,” he said. “When we consulted the public on this and we had envisioned exercises … no one from the public could imagine a town that didn’t have a wharf in it.” 

The bridge has visual damage and council fears further restrictions if things are not repaired. (Patrick Watt/CHCO-TV)

“So I need to keep that at the core of how I’m thinking about this.”

He said this desire and attachment to the wharf needs to be part of the decision-making process. 

Coun. Lee Heenan said the council has to start somewhere. 

“At some point, the municipality has to start somewhere,” he said. “If we’ve decided that the wharf is going to be fixed, which we have, we’ve had public awareness, we’ve had everything. We have to start somewhere.” 

But time is running out. 

Henderson said that a federal election is looming and a new government that may not share the priorities of the previous government could mean the funding sources dry up. 

“We know there is a change in government, this is an environmental fund, you might lose all your funding for the entire wharf,” he said. 

There is no flexibility in the timeline, the money must be spent this year, he explained. 

The wharf refurbishment is planned for October 2025 after being delayed last year. 

Council voted on Jan. 20  on the motion to bring a formal contract on the Ducks Unlimited project back to council for it to be reviewed before it moves forward with the project. The motion was passed in a vote of seven to two.

Nearly 10 per cent of surgery patients within the Vitalité Health Network are waiting more than a year, data for the second quarter shows.

CBC East Coast Music hour is hosting six Atlantic musicians for a songwriting camp in Fredericton. The songs they create will premiere in their upcoming performance at the Playhouse.

Joyful New Year’s Eve celebrations at Carleton Manor

By Jane Jones

With the support of volunteers, loved ones, and staff, Carleton Manor brought in the New Year with joyful singing and revelry!

The evening was complete with a countdown, a balloon drop, lots of noisemakers, party hats, treats, and some bubbly in fancy glasses.

We were able to create the perfect party to celebrate togetherness and hope for fresh beginnings. From us to you, may your 2025 be filled with the happiness we all felt on this joyful day.

Happy New Year from the neighbours and staff of Carleton Manor in Woodstock!

The post COLUMN: A Manor of Speaking – NYE edition first appeared on River Valley Sun.

A cold snap stretching from eastern Alberta to Atlantic Canada was in full swing Tuesday and Wednesday, in some cases straining power grids, but a brief reprieve from the extreme temperatures is expected this weekend.

The Greater St. Stephen Sports Wall of Fame has been a fixture of the Garcelon Civic Center in St. Stephen since 2017. Don Walker and Jamie Waycott sit down with host Vicki Hogarth at the CHCO studio to talk about the creation of the Wall of Fame and the importance of honouring Charlotte County’s top athletes and teams through the decades.

Original broadcast date: January 2025

Southwest Magazine is an original CHCO Television production taped on location at the CHCO-TV studio in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada.

The housing crisis in New Brunswick isn’t just a headline—it’s a reality felt across the province.

Peter Corbyn, Executive Director of the New Brunswick Nonprofit Housing Association, wants you to be part of the solution. On January 27th from 7pm to 8:30pm, Corbyn will take the stage at the WC O’Neill Arena Theatre in St. Andrews for his interactive talk, “Let’s Solve the Housing Crisis.”

The event aims to spark meaningful dialogue, rally the community, and explore actionable solutions to one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Admission is free, and donations to local non-profit Neighbourhood Works will be accepted at the door.

Corbyn isn’t pulling punches about the scale of the problem.

“In Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton, there are 1,500 people unhoused right now,” he said.

But the real story lies beneath the surface. For every individual visible in shelters or on the streets, countless others are on the brink—struggling to pay soaring rents, couch-surfing, or living in unsafe conditions.

“This crisis affects everyone. It’s not just the people you see,” Corbyn adds.

The roots of the problem are deep, spanning decades of neglect. Corbyn points to a drop in government funding for nonprofit housing that began in the early 1990s.

“A lot of us in the nonprofit housing sector will say we were abandoned 30 years ago,” he explains.

Combine this with the trend of bigger homes for fewer people, and the result is a system out of balance—a province where housing supply simply doesn’t meet demand.

Corbyn likens the housing crisis to the climate crisis, stressing that collective action is essential. “It’s about the small things everyone can do,” he says, comparing steps like switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs for the environment to small but significant actions that could alleviate housing shortages.

There are glimmers of hope, particularly in communities like Miramichi, where local contractors Blair Martin and Jesse Tucker are redirecting their efforts toward nonprofit housing.

Their work shows how local expertise can help meet housing needs without waiting for large developers to step in. In rural areas, Corbyn sees opportunity in leaning on tight-knit networks and tapping into provincial rent supplement programs to incentivize private developers to build affordable units.

One of the most striking success stories comes from Moncton, where Rising Tide transformed a dilapidated Victorian house into a rooming house that slashed emergency service calls by 97 per cent.

What started as scepticism from neighbours turned into a rallying cry: “Yes, in my backyard.”

The project’s success illustrates how affordable housing can uplift an entire community, shifting perspectives and improving quality of life.

Corbyn’s vision for the future is ambitious but grounded. He aims to see nonprofit housing grow from its current 3.5% of Canada’s housing stock to 20 per cent within the next 20 years.

“It’s doable,” he says, “but it’s going to take real investment, smart partnerships, and a shift in priorities at every level of government.”

His talk in St. Andrews promises to be more than a lecture—it’s a call to action for New Brunswickers to come together and tackle the crisis head-on.

“There’s a role for everyone to play,” Corbyn insists. Whether it’s volunteering time, advocating for policy change, or simply staying informed, the path to a more equitable housing future starts with collective action.

For those looking to make a difference, January 27th is the date to mark on your calendar, from 7pm to 8:30pm at the WC O’Neill Theatre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick.